Though India got independence on August 15, 1947, Marathwada, Telangana and some parts of Karnataka were in the state of Hyderabad.It had a long way ahead to achieve territorial sovereignty with the princely states of India posing a complex dilemma for the architects of newly-born nation. The Nizam of Hyderabad was the ruler of one such state that kept a tight grip over the regions under its control.

Marathwada, west region of the princely state that stood up in its endeavour to join India, much against the wishes of the Nizam who harboured dreams to be a part of Pakistan.

The region struggled hard under the leadership of Swami Ramanand Tirth, Govindbhai Shroff, Vajayantra Kabra, P H Patwardhan and others, against the Razakars unleased by the Nizam.

Union Government launched Hyderabad Police Action on 13 September 1948, swiftly overrunning the Nizam’s forces within four and a half days.

The region joined Maharashtra after the Nizam surrendered to the Indian Army on 17 September 1948.

Since then, September 17 is celebrated as the Marathwada Mukti Sangram Din (Marathwada Liberation Day) to remember the martyrs who laid down their lives for the region.

In Osmanabad, Minister Incharge of District, Madhukarrao Chauhan offered flowers at ‘Hutatma Stambh’ and hoisted flag in the main official function organied in the premises of District Collector’s Office.